Are You a Boat Owner? The Launch Ramp/Dock Fiasco Gets Old

[diyer2]

Above 8 thousand feet in elevation. My home lakes are all above 8 thousand feet.

The higher you go the more intense the sun gets.

You're closer to the sun and less atmosphere to filter it.

 

Try the gaiters and a good SPF shirt and a hat. Like this with the neck flap. https://www.amazon.com/JFH-Group-Safari-Outback-Summer/dp/B06XDY2TY1/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_468_lp_t_2/130-0717359-9338965?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4BQN3XN0DJ58C7ZV7JAT

 

[StinkyCheese]

I fry less when I go to the mountains, more trees to protect me from that giant evil ball of death.

[Colossus]

Trees? Where? They're all dead here in Colorado from the pine beetle. Well many of them anyway.

[diyer2]

I'm talking fishing on a boat with no Bimini Top.

No trees.

[grampadirt]

Still over 100* every day,still haven't gone to the lake.Weather reports say tomorrow's temp should be down in the 90s,gonna try then.

[StinkyCheese]

I'm talking fishing on a boat with no Bimini Top.

No trees.

 

I went to the keys a few years ago. Buddy's boat has a bimini but not enough cover so we jury rigged an extension out of wood and a tarp. Looked ghetto as hell but it kept the sun off of us on a boat that wasn't made for the ocean or to be slept on. Of course we did both haha.

[Sour_Squirrel]

 

Don't get me started on the guy who doesn't try starting his boat til after he parks his truck LOL. Another thing that kinda ticks me off is people who power load. I have zero experience with big boats but I'd imagine the people who do it are people not experienced enough in loading it back on the trailer.. whether it's not enough speed or trailer isn't in far enough, I don't know and I shouldn't really say anything until I've been in their shoes

 

 

What do you mean by "power load" ??

[SkiDooNick700]

What do you mean by "power load" ??

When people use their engine to move the boat up onto the trailer. Usually its when the guy doesn't back his trailer in far enough and hes gotta get the boat up another foot or two, so he starts giving it a lot of throttle to move it.

 

I didn't see too much of it this year.

[Sour_Squirrel]

I load my boat that way.

I didn't know that is the wrong way to load a boat back onto the trailer and it bothers people. I don't take a long time loading my boat but I don't go fast when loading. Just at a slow speed but fast enough to get the boat the glide up on to the bunks. I do however have to give a bit of throttle to get the boat up on to the bunks and far enough to the roller stop by the winch.

It all depends on the angle of the launch ramp. Some ramps I use are somewhat steep. If I go too far in my boat will just float over the rear bunk guides as I'm pulling the trailer out. So I have to purposely not back the trailer in as far and "power load". No choice....

[SkiDooNick700]

I load my boat that way.

I didn't know that is the wrong way to load a boat back onto the trailer and it bothers people. I don't take a long time loading my boat but I don't go fast when loading. Just at a slow speed but fast enough to get the boat the glide up on to the bunks. I do however have to give a bit of throttle to get the boat up on to the bunks and far enough to the roller stop by the winch.

It all depends on the angle of the launch ramp. Some ramps I use are somewhat steep. If I go too far in my boat will just float over the rear bunk guides as I'm pulling the trailer out. So I have to purposely not back the trailer in as far and "power load". No choice....

I see... Ive never owned a boat, just jetskis, so I have no idea what all is involved but its good to hear your side of the story.

 

The only reason it "bothers" me is because the two launches I go to have signs everywhere saying "No power loading". It sounds like its avoidable at times due to the launch.

 

Good to know!

[pm26]

I live in Florida and population explosion here on the East Coast in recent years mean a lot more boat owners and bigger crowds at the existing boat docks. There are definitely rude people out there and they make it rather unpleasant for others. I have not taken my boat out for over a year, so I do not know how much worse dock situation will be now. I am holding onto my boat only because it is paid for. If I sell it, I will not buy another one.

[Buckshot556]

I load my boat that way.

I didn't know that is the wrong way to load a boat back onto the trailer and it bothers people. I don't take a long time loading my boat but I don't go fast when loading. Just at a slow speed but fast enough to get the boat the glide up on to the bunks. I do however have to give a bit of throttle to get the boat up on to the bunks and far enough to the roller stop by the winch.

It all depends on the angle of the launch ramp. Some ramps I use are somewhat steep. If I go too far in my boat will just float over the rear bunk guides as I'm pulling the trailer out. So I have to purposely not back the trailer in as far and "power load". No choice....

When you power load your boat your prop wash blows away the lake bottom making it into a deep pit. Eventually trailers start falling off the launch into this pit and get stuck...ask me how I know.

 

Some times it's unavoidable, when that's the case I hook up the winch and crank while someone in the boat uses as little throttle as necessary to help me winch it up.

 

I towed boats professionally as a summer job while in college. Saw my fair share of silliness. I became extremely proficient at backing up trailers. One launch required me to backup over a 100yds down a twisty two track. Had a few customers on that lake.

[Jsdirt]

I live in MA - there are idiots EVERYWHERE. On the water, on the roadway, in the air ...

I prefer to just stay home 99.9% of the time ... 

 

[6.6LTZ]

None of our docks around here mention power loading.  I do see it a lot though, especially the bass boaters that don't like getting their feet wet.

 

I have a heavy deck boat that can be a pain depending on the angle of the ramp.  My wife cranks the winch and I will bump the throttle once or twice and we're good to go.

[Jsdirt]

We usually just sail in at speed (much easier on a calm day), have either me or my buddy back the thing in as far as we can without sinking the front rollers, then off we go. In and out in less than a minute, as long as I'm not operating the boat, lol.

 

The only boat I own fits in the back of my Silverado.